Embedding Fonts

IngramSpark requires all fonts to be embedded in print files. This ensures the look and placement of text on the page, and it is important for keeping the document fonts and layouts as intended.

Embedding Fonts

How to embed fonts will vary depending on the program you use.

If using Microsoft Word, the last tab in this program should be Adobe PDF. Select this tab, then select Change Conversion Settings. Once this opens, please select the Settings tab, pull the Conversion Setting down to “High Quality”, then select OK.

Now create your PDF. (You should have three icons in your Word toolbar, click on the first one).

To check and see if your fonts are embedded after you have created your PDF, open your PDF after you have successfully distilled it. Next select File, Document Properties, and then Fonts tab. Next to each font name it should say Font Name (Embedded Subset). If any of the fonts do not have this next to the font name, it is not embedded.

If using Photoshop or InDesign, the fonts will be embedded when a PDF is created.*

*Unless it is a free font that doesn't come with printing rights.

What Base 14 Fonts Are

Base 14 fonts are the common fonts installed as a part of the Adobe Acrobat installation.

Times or Times New Roman - 4 versions*

Helvetica or Arial- 4 versions

Courier - 4 versions

Symbol

Zapf Dingbats

* (regular, bold, italic or oblique, and bold italic of each)

So if these are the 'common fonts,’ why aren't they embedded automatically?

Programs often default to the PDF setting 'Standard': this setting does not automatically embed Base 14 fonts. Because these fonts are available in Acrobat Reader, it is assumed they will be available to any viewer and embedding would add unnecessarily to the file size.

Because we are doing more than simply viewing the file (we are printing) this is why it's important to choose a PDF setting which is intended for printing purposes. The preferred PDF setting to ensure the fonts are embedded (and to have a stable, print-ready PDF overall) is PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002. If you don't have this option available, the second recommendation is High Quality Print.

Due to licensing and copyright restrictions, we do not keep a font library, therefore, we are dependent upon the publisher’s PDF files to have the embedded font information to ensure proper printing representation of the book cover or interior.